Immigration and welfare benefits

[irash]

If someone, who lived and worked all his life in Ireland moved to a non-EU country and declared himself non-resident in Ireland, came back to Ireland after a few month and declared himself a resident again:
WHAT HAPPENS with his welfare entitlements and most inportant with his right to use public medical care upon his return to Ireland?

 

[Welfarite]

His welfare entitlements would be based on the prevailing conditions on his return. If he has PRSI records to cover them, then his period abroad does not affect them if it is less than two years.